Partridge and Yellow

The Partridge and Yellow is a cornerstone of North Country wet fly fishing and one of the most important soft hackle patterns ever tied. The yellow silk body glows under water like a natural emerging insect, while the gray partridge hackle pulses with every variation in current. Fish it on a downstream swing just under the surface, or as a dropper on a nymph rig.

Type

wet fly (Caddis)

Hook sizes

#12–16

Target species

trout

Difficulty

beginner

Best seasons

spring, summer, fall

Materials

• hook: Wet fly hook #12–16
• thread: Yellow 8/0
• body: Yellow silk or floss (Pearsall's Gossamer shade), slim
• thorax: Light hare's ear dubbing
• hackle: Gray partridge, 1–2 loose turns swept back

Tying steps

1. Mount a size 12–16 wet fly hook; start yellow 8/0 thread at the bend.
2. Wind yellow silk or floss in tight, smooth layers from the bend to the 3/4 mark.
3. Apply a tiny pinch of light hare's ear dubbing at the 3/4 mark as a thorax.
4. Select a gray partridge feather; strip fibers from the base of the stem.
5. Tie in by the tip at the thorax; make 1–2 loose turns of partridge.
6. Sweep the fibers back with your fingers; tie off the stem and trim.
7. Build a tiny, sparse head; whip finish and cement.
8. Ensure hackle fibers sweep back at 45 degrees by stroking them rearward with dampened fingers before the lacquer head cures, creating the correct wet-fly silhouette.